Child Safety

ARTICLES ABOUT CHILD SAFETY BY DATE - PAGE 3

Two deer jump off railroad bridge Traffic on U.S. 40 by the Hagerstown Police Department headquarters was held up Tuesday morning after two deer jumped off a railroad bridge, Sgt. Fred Wolford said. At about 7:30 a.m., five deer were running across the railroad tracks when two of them jumped off the bridge - apparantly scared by a train - and landed on U.S 40 near its intersection with Burhans Boulevard, Wolford said. "One died and another had to be put down," he said.

Community Rescue Service will conduct child safety seat checks Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Ed's Mobile Home Supply II, 11912 Greencastle Pike, Hagerstown. Williamsport Volunteer Fire Department and the Williamsport Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. representatives will be on hand. The ambulance and rescue workers will be at the business during its open house.

marlob@herald-mail.com For nearly 50 years, Richard M. Long has been active with an agency many people don't even know exists. Even those who have heard of the Travelers Protective Association of America may not know what it does. Long, now 81, said the organization's scope continues to amaze him. School safety patrols, fire safety training, child safety seats, bicycle helmets and scholarships for the deaf and hearing-impaired are among the projects it champions. "We have about 20 projects currently that are helping this community," Long said.

Washington County Sheriff's deputies will be on hand Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Valley Mall to explain and hand out literature on the changes in the Child Passenger Seat Safety laws that will become effective in October 2003. Deputy 1st Class Jim Clay said he and other deputies will be ready to answer questions at the Washington County Sheriff's kiosk at the mall. The new law for Maryland says that all children younger than 6 riding in a vehicle registered in the state of Maryland must ride in a correctly used child restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Would-be robber quits before attempt MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A gunman who tried to steal money from a drug store Saturday morning aborted the robbery and took off, Martinsburg Police said. The man walked into the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Winchester Avenue about 9 a.m. holding a gun, police said. The store manager saw the gun and called out to employees in another part of the store. Hearing this, the man quickly left the store and rode off on a black bicycle. Police described the gunman as a thin black man, about 40 years old. He was wearing blue sweat pants, a light green hooded jacket and sneakers.

Medications resource guide now available The Washington County Mental Health Authority has developed and produced its medications resource guide for Washington County. The guide provides information on available medication resources for residents of Washington County, and lists the eligibility criteria, available medications and copay requirements for 11 community agencies. The guide is available as a brochure, on the authority's Web site at www.wcmha.org or by calling 301-739-2490.

The Child Connection Inc. gives the following safety suggestions for children: - Yell, kick and scream if grabbed by a stranger. - Make sure your child knows his/her area code and phone number, and how to make a collect call in case of emergency. - Teach your child not to give his/her phone number or address to strangers. - Encourage your children to use the buddy system and to watch out for each other. - Get photos taken every six months of your children and keep a photo with you at all times.

This is Child Passenger Safety Week By MARLO BARNHART marlob@herald-mail.com Area police and health officials will emphasize the use of child safety seats during Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 10-16. Proper installation and use of child safety seats will be demonstrated by Washington County Sheriff's deputies on Monday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. at Boonsboro Elementary School at 5 Campus Ave. Deputies will also be stationed at Sharpsburg Elementary School at 17525 Shepherdstown Pike on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 to 9 a.m. to show parents how to use the seats to prevent injuries to their children in an accident.

Child safety seat law closer to expansion By LAURA ERNDE laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Maryland drivers may soon be required to strap their children in booster seats until they turn 9 or weigh more than 80 pounds. The Maryland General Assembly is on the verge of expanding the state's child safety seat law, which requires children to ride in a safety seat until age 4 as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds. The booster seat law cleared a major hurdle Wednesday when the House Commerce and Government Matters Committee voted 16-2 to send the bill to the House floor.